Lab talk

Jan 16, 2017

Nanohybrid helps feel the heat and the mechanical power for cell stimulation

A targeted protein channel was activated in living cells by applying near-infrared light and a magnetic field in the presence of a nanohybrid synthesized from multiwalled carbon nanotubes, magnetite nanoparticles, and polyglycerol. This platform, as reported in Nanotechnology, shows great promise as a tool to remotely control cellular activity via multiple stimuli.

Stimulating cells by light is an attractive technology to investigate cellular function and deliver innovative cell-based therapy. However, current techniques generally use poorly biopermeable light, which prevents broad applicability. In a new study, researchers at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) in Japan and Institut de Physique et Chimie des Matériaux de Strasbourg (IPCMS) in France have shown that they can develop a new tool box for simple cell stimulation using laser light and a magnet.

They produce a nanoscale stimulator from multi-walled carbon nanotubes, magnetic iron nanoparticles, and polyglycerol. This multicomponent nanohybrid allows photothermal and mechanical control of calcium ion influx into genetically engineered cells overexpressing transient receptor potential vanilloid type-2. The nanohybrid is simply operated by application of highly biotransparent near-infrared light and a magnetic field. The technology may revolutionize remote control of cellular function.

About the author

Dr. Svetlana A. Chechetka, Dr. Motomichi Doi, and Dr. Eijiro Miyako are all based at AIST, Japan. Dr. Benoît P. Pichon and Dr. Sylvie Bégin-Colin are affiliated to IPCMS in France. Dr. Eijiro Miyako is a leading researcher for this international project. His research focuses on the development of functional nanomaterials for human health and welfare.